Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo - NSW Environmental Education Centres

Field of Mars EEC

The centre provides authentic, curriculum based fieldwork learning experiences for exploring, investigating, understanding and connecting with the natural and made environments.

The centre provides authentic contexts for exploring, investigating and understanding values, concepts and systems in the natural and made environments. The centre has been recognised as a leader in the provision of future focused learning and the use of technology outdoors.

The centre has begun its journey in embedding Aboriginal perspectives to provide opportunities for all students, staff and the wider community to acquire knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of Aboriginal histories, cultures and experiences.

Field of Mars EEC is located in a reserve of remnant urban bushland in East Ryde. Programs are conducted on site at the Field of Mars Reserve, at other sites such as local reserves and in school grounds. The centre sits on Wallumedegal Country.

Visit Field of Mars EEC website

Maps end here

K-6

Poetic adventures

English

Come on an amazing mini hike exploring the little things that make the Field of Mars Reserve and other natural places so special.

Poetic adventures is a English focused program where students collaborate on the development of a digital communication product using a range of apps, poetic devices and visual literacy strategies.

Students will develop environmental vocabulary and use the English textual concept of perspective to create a poem based on the experiences of a minifigure. Using an iPad they will learn how to take beautiful macro photos and create a digital story to bring their poem to life.

Program details

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7-12

Human impacts and introduced species

Earth and Environmental Science

Syllabus inquiry question: How do introduced species affect the Australian environment and ecosystems?

This fieldwork investigates how introduced species affect the functioning of the environments at Field of Mars Reserve.

This Earth and Environmental Science excursion for Stage 6 involves hands-on fieldwork around Strangers Creek. Students will collect data and information to assess whether the reserve's land management practices have been successful over time.

Students will also collect data and information to prepare a case study that investigates the specific biotic and abiotic effects of several introduced species at the site.

Program details

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Resources

The needs of living things

Early stage 1

Science and technology

Inquiry question

What are the needs of living things?

This resource will help students learn about the needs of living things. It contains twelve activities with supporting videos and resources that encourage students to explore the natural world.

Students will learn about the needs of people, prepare for an adventure, explore the needs of animals, work as scientists to investigate the needs of plants and go outside to take care of themselves by practising mindfulness breathing and yoga.

Student activities

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